I'm an observant girl. I love to people-watch, and I’m always checking out the outfits on just about everyone around me. No, I don’t do it in a nasty “Oh my God, did she really wear that out in public” kind of way; I’m usually just looking for a little inspiration. One of my favorite spots to people-watch or (in my case, style-watch) is my salon, I Soci. And one of my favorite subjects is stylist Lisa Proulx. Every time I go in for a treatment, something she’s wearing catches my eye. Whether it’s a pair of Costume National pumps I’m drooling over (I drool even more when Proulx tells me she got them for 80 percent off!), a colorful silk Pucci-inspired print dress, or a vintage-inspired top from Marc by Marc Jacobs, her clothes always beg the question: “Where is that from?” I managed to catch the beautista-meets-fashionista just before she jetted off to Paris. We talked style, guilty pleasures, international shopping, and, of course, hair.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your style.
A: I would say that I like classic looks with a little bit of edge. But it also depends on my mood. Sometimes I like being comfy and relaxed, and other times I really like to glam it out.
Q: Is there anything about your style that might surprise us?
A: Well, I rarely wear jewelry. Rings and bangles get in the way of cutting hair, and if I ever wear earrings or a necklace, it’s something simple, precious, and classic. I never wear costume jewelry.
Q: Beauty and fashion go hand in hand. How do you feel one industry influences the other?
A: Hairstyles are definitely inspired by the end of the [fashion] season. When looks are more tailored, hairstyles are more tailored. This season, with a return to more feminine looks, we are seeing glamorous, tailored looks including bobs, structured bangs, and loosely structured up-dos.
Q: What are your guilty pleasures?
A: Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales! I love department stores. And also Stil. I can go in there and buy an outfit that is such a guilty pleasure. But I’m drawn to Stil because their clothing is unique and they don’t fit into one specific trend and they aren’t pieces you will see everywhere.
Q: Any other favorite shopping destinations?
A: I love to shop when I travel. Whether I’m in Burlington, Vermont, or New York City, I love to peek into little stores or boutiques and find interesting and unique pieces. I guess that’s how I build my wardrobe and find a lot of my favorite pieces — randomly in my travels.
Q: Speaking of travel, you’re off to Paris tomorrow. Any big shopping plans?
A: It’s my first time visiting Paris and I’m really excited about the shopping! I’ve already mapped out my shopping route. I definitely have to stop into Collette, maybe to buy a really fabulous outfit or to get some inspiration. But I think my real inspiration will come from sitting at cafés and people-watching. I can’t wait to sit back and watch the people pass me by and check out what they’re wearing.
Q: Any other cities you love for shopping?
A: I love shopping in Rome. I have things that I bought five years ago [there] that I still wear. Shopping in Rome is easy: most stores are carrying the latest trends that everyone is wearing, so it’s easy to find pieces to update your wardrobe — at any price. I think Boston is tough to shop in. In San Francisco, Rome, and other cities, you can find random boutiques with a great mix of high-end and affordable things. Here, if you shop cheap, you get cheap.
Q: What has been your biggest splurge and biggest save?
A: My biggest splurge: Marc Jacobs suede boots. I love Marc Jacobs anything. My biggest save is the sale shoe rack at Bloomingdales! I’ve picked up Fendi shoes, Costume National shoes, all for 40 to 80 percent off! Their footwear sales are incredible.
Q: What is the one thing in your wardrobe you really can’t live without?
A: My Loro Piana cashmere scarf. I absolutely adore it.
Q: Do you have any style icons who inspire you?
A: Audrey Hepburn and Kate Bosworth.
Q: What’s the best accessory to any outfit?
A: A great haircut! I’ve said this to so many clients before: someone can have a $1000 suit on, but if their hair looks bad, then it completely ruins the look. @
[Photo by Joel Veak]
